Here's the photo of one performance from the student concert. We are performing Kumoi-Jishi (mystical lion).
For more info you can check out the Phoenix Shakuhachi Friends website; http://phoenixazshakuhachi.com or the Rocky Camp; http://www.shakucamp.com.
Beyond the amazing music, I really enjoyed seeing the faces of the audience. I had set up my video camera and was seated off to the side. From my position, it was easy to see the audience's faces. We had a large number of people who'd never heard the shakuhachi before. There was also about half-dozen shakuhachi players in the crowd. The faces went from almost jaw dropping awe and steady fixed gazes to those that had a child-like glow to their face. 
To start with I’ve been playing for about 6-7 years now and feel like I’m doing well. I’ve got a small repertoire of songs I will do in public. I practice about 30 minutes most mornings and more often than not about 30 more either at lunch time or in the evening.
My lunch time paying is done in a local park so I can get used to performing in front of other people. I find a comfortable place and open my binder and run through my songs. Starting with Choshi, then Tsuki gusano yume (drean of moon grass), then into Azuma no kyoko, hama chidori and kojono ysuki. I’ve just recently thrown into my play binder Sanya. Normally I make it through my lunch music, sometimes well done, sometimes ok.
Here’s a bit of what I experienced today. Almost all of my playing started out so weak and thready I stopped playing and went through some scales to try and reset my embrasure. I’d have things going well for a bit then I’d lose it again. Especially the top end of Kan and meri notes, so chi meri and hi were REALY rough!
Ok, so I’m not asking for advice. I’m just saying that even after 7 years of fairly devoted practice, some days the shakuhachi can be humbling. So tomorrow morning, I'm back out for an ealry Saturday in the park and going at it again.
We had our February 4th Shakuhachi Gathering at my home in stead of our normal Scottsdale location. We basically had our normal agenda of mentoring and instruction but then we also had a party.
I live up in Cave Creek with an amazing few of mountains from our front porch. The space we used for the instruction was big enough for us to play flute without any issues. The room has great acoustics. Steve and Howard, two new members to our group joined us. We had 6 players attend our gathering and it felt like everyone had a great time.
We also had some time for those who wanted to show off a bit and play for each other. Howard who normally plays the native American flute did a few songs for us.
My wife Bina made us some food for our party. Yummy stuff!
One of the performances if by a group called Kokin Gumi & Friends. Music with Traditional Japanese Instruments including Shakuhachi. Their performance is at 3:30 on the Plaza stage, lets all meet up there and see their performance.
There is so much more to see and do all day. check our there web site at http://azmatsuri.org.... Also it's FREE! You can also check out Mark Zemnick's site for photos from last year. http://markzemnick.co... . Again so much cool stuff to see. I'll be there most of the day and hope to see you at the Kokin Gumi performance.
Composed by Miyagi Michio (b. 1894 - d. 1956), a blind koto teacher in the Ikuta school. The 1929 duet for shakuhachi and koto, Haru no umi (Spring Sea), has proven Baroque-like in its performance practice, for it is often heard played by the violin, with koto or piano accompaniment. Its style equals the French composer Claude Debussy in his most oriental moments
> The Shakuhachi is Japan's traditional vertical bamboo flute with five finger holes. It is an ancient instrument, yet due to its versatility, it has a uniquely contemporary appeal with a broad-ranging repertoire that transcends the constricts of time and space. 
Posted with Blogsy
